News Summary
Boston Magazine has released its annual rankings of public high schools in Greater Boston for 2024. Dover-Sherborn Regional High School topped the list, followed by Weston High School and Manchester Essex Regional High School. The rankings are based on data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, focusing on various academic performance metrics while excluding specialized and charter schools. This initiative aims to enhance transparency for families evaluating educational opportunities in the region.
Boston
Boston Magazine has unveiled its annual rankings of the top public high schools in the Greater Boston area for 2024. The rankings, based on comprehensive data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, emphasize the academic performance and overall quality of education provided by these institutions.
The evaluation criteria for the rankings included class size, student-to-teacher ratios, graduation rates, standardized test scores, and evaluations of educators. Notably, specialized and charter schools were excluded from this year’s rankings to focus solely on traditional public high schools. Additionally, while median household income and average home prices within each school’s town were analyzed, these factors did not influence the school’s ranking.
Top Ranked Schools
This year, Dover-Sherborn Regional High School claimed the top spot, rising from third place in 2023. The school serves 643 students, features an average class size of 15.6, and boasts an impressive graduation rate of 98.7%.
Weston High School received the second position, having previously held the number one rank last year. This school has 662 students with a graduation rate of 95.5%.
In third place is Manchester Essex Regional High School, which reported a student body of 400 and achieved a perfect graduation rate of 100%.
Wayland High School maintains its fourth position from last year, accommodating 820 students and also reporting a graduation rate of 100%.
The top five rankings conclude with Concord-Carlisle High School, which made a significant leap from 28th place in 2023 to fifth this year. The school has a total student population of 1,316 and a graduation rate of 97.4%.
Data Analysis and Methodology
The methodology for the rankings involved a detailed statistical analysis of multiple academic metrics, including proficiency rates on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), average SAT scores, and the percentage of graduates who proceed to college.
Additionally, an honor roll was introduced to highlight schools that excel in specific categories such as average class size and student-to-teacher ratios. This initiative is intended to recognize schools that may not be in the top rankings but deliver exceptional educational quality in certain areas.
Implications for Families and Communities
The annual release of these rankings is designed to provide transparency to families and potential residents who may be evaluating educational opportunities in the Greater Boston area. By focusing on data-driven metrics, the rankings not only spotlight accomplished schools but also aim to encourage improvements across the board in public education.
Overall, the 2024 rankings reflect significant variations in educational quality and performance among public high schools in Greater Boston. As these rankings inform families making educational choices, they contribute to ongoing discussions about educational access and quality in Massachusetts.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Magazine: Best Public High Schools 2024
- Boston.com: Best High Schools in Greater Boston
- Boston Agent Magazine: Top Public High Schools Ranked 2024
- CBS News: Best Schools in Massachusetts
- Patch: Massachusetts’ 50 Best Public High Schools
- Wikipedia: Education in Massachusetts
- Google Search: Public High Schools in Massachusetts
- Google Scholar: Massachusetts Public High Schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public School
- Google News: Massachusetts High Schools
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
